The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) hosted their Ruby Gala, marking their 40th Anniversary, at the iconic Pool Room in the historic Seagram Building on Park Avenue. The milestone event recognized the organization’s visionaries and raised funds to support the mission of the WJA, which stands as a beacon of support and empowerment for women in the jewelry and watch industries.
The gala has previously honored trailblazers in the industry, including Donna Karan, Diane Von Furstenberg, Iris Apfel, Fern Mallis, Stellene Volandes, Robert Verdi, Mercedes Abramo, and Nadja Swarovski. Monica Elias, CEO and Executive Producer of Elias World Media, and Susan Chandler, WJA President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Citizen Watch America, served as the co-chairs of the evening. Both Monica and Susan were supported by WJA committee members: Gabrielle Grazi, Aida Alvarez, Kendra Bridelle, and Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, as well as Anna Samsonova, Jen Cullen Williams, Rachel Jurisz, and Jacqueline Cassaway.
Also in the mix dressed in red were Kimberly and Steven Rockefeller, with their jeweler daughter Kayla Rockefeller who founded her own brand Kayla Jaclyne, Esther Fortunoff, Ruth Fortunoff, gallerist Isabelle Bscher, David Kellie, Grant Mobley, Stephanie Gotlieb, Emily George, Monica Rich Kosann, Steven Lagos, Kristi Nicolosi, Malyia McNaughton, Lorraine West, Adrien Lesser and Daniel Stock.
The gala had a Moulin Rouge theme with aerial and stage performances occurring throughout the night. The legendary space was festooned with hundreds of candles and red roses. The elaborate food stations featured bites from Carbone. The gala’s sponsors included De Beers, Jewelers Mutual, Citizen Watch America, GIA, Elias World Media, JCK, Krainz Creations, Platinum Guild International, Stuller, The Centurion Jewelry Show, BOSS Logics, Chrysmela, Goldstar, Heritage Auctions, Instore, Lux, Bond & Green, Marco Bicego, Richline Group, Sheetal, Uni-Design, V&A Group, and Casadevall Group.
The WJA is dedicated to empowering and advancing women within the jewelry and watch industries. To learn more, womensjewelryassociation.com
The VNS Health Annual Benefit celebrated the dedicated public health heroes who bring care to New York’s most vulnerable people—in the homes and communities where they live. The benefit theme, “Empowering Our Neighbors in Need,” evoked the spirit of resiliency and hope inherent in the organization’s focus. The event raised over $1 million, which will support the nonprofit’s community impact and charitable care programs that help make health care accessible to more than 49,000 New Yorkers on any given day. This year marks 130 years since VNS Health started serving the NY community!
Notables Mike Valentine, CEO of health-tech leader Netsmart; Martha Wolfgang, retired Health Care Executive and Adjunct Faculty Member from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; and VNS Health Board Member and Retired Insurance Executive, Peter Hutchings were honored with the prestigious Lillian D. Wald Award for their significant contributions to the health and welfare of others, and their commitment to strengthening and sustaining access to quality health care for all New Yorkers. PIX 11 Anchor Kori Chambers served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
And on Saturday, November 11th, at a private club on the Upper East Side, 515 mostly masked guests attended the Yorkville Ball, a black-tie fundraiser with music, dancing, and masquerade to benefit Search and Care, whose mission is to seek out older people in the community who need help in managing life’s daily activities or accessing essential services, and to provide them the support and companionship they require to live with security and dignity in the manner they choose.
Host Committee included Committee Chair Peyton Carr; Co-Chairs Julia Baldwin, Michelle Carr, Jennifer Cuminale, Arielle Patrick, and Louisa Takacs; Junior Chairs Margaret Maloy and George Foulard; and Host Committee Members John Barnett, Henry Dolan, Olivia Dolan, Nico Enderle, Fei Li, Grace Macedonia, Sarah Nelson, Marguerite O’Brien, Erica Pickup, Andrew Rachlin, Brenda Rivera, Julia Roccato, Alyson Schwerdtfeger, Robin Strashun, Jeremy Valeda, Juliet Wells, and Megan Zuckerman.
